What should DD take on year six residential trip?

[Waitingonastar]

The school have provided a basic list covering waterproof coat, swimmers etc etc, but do mumsnetters have any tips for what helpful bits and pieces DD should take on her Y6 residential trip in a few weeks please? Someone in real life already suggested a disposable camera which I think is brilliant idea, so other suggestions like that would be great, thanks.

Lots of socks, then add another couple of pairs.

A book and a torch. Lip balm.

I think that’s all ours took in addition to the list.

Add things that will make her feel good... bags of sweeties to share. Fun group games for her age.

Spare trainers if possible because one pair will invariably get wet…..

Leggings not jeans, leggings dry quicker and you can fit more pairs in her bag if she needs to change.

I'd check with school about the disposable camera and torch. I lead our Yr4 residential and these for us cause more hassle than they're worth!

One tip we received was to pack each day's outfit in a different plastic bag so kids wore a different outfit each day. Some kids end up wearing the same outfit the whole time and this is discourages that.

We were told no sweets (ants!) and no cameras or other electronics too

Torches were allowed though

What sort of residential is it?

Our packing list says at least 3 pairs of outdoor shoes if at all possible.

I’d also say a pair of indoor only shoes - slippers, crocs, whatever.

Extra socks definitely!

Microfibre camping towels are useful.

Bin bags for dirty stuff.

Make sure the bag you pack in is generously big enough. They pack their own wet and dirty stuff at the end of the week and it’s carnage- at least if it all fits in the bag without a struggle that’s one thing!

I was going to say if camping they don’t like sweets etc because of things like ants

@cherryonthecakes

One tip we received was to pack each day's outfit in a different plastic bag so kids wore a different outfit each day. Some kids end up wearing the same outfit the whole time and this is discourages that.

There's no need for a different outfit each day unless they are playing in the mud, do you wash all the clothes on return or keep the clean ones to be worn again?

I misread the title as “six year residential trip” and thought that was excessive.

@svara They did messy activities like canoeing which meant wet clothes and mud

Write name inside welly boots otherwise you end up with your DC returning home with someone’s else’s (too small but otherwise) identical pair.

[quote cherryonthecakes]@svara They did messy activities like canoeing which meant wet clothes and mud [/quote]
DS had to do the plastic bag thing for a week long cub camp when he was 10. He just showed his correctly packed bag then took clothes out as needed anyway! I think it could be useful for a 7 year old or an older child with difficulties, but I think most 10 year olds know when something is fine to wear again.

Plenty of socks and underwear. Stuff that can all be washed at the same time on the same temperature. Anything old that you don't care if it gets trashed.
And a big bin bag for them to put all dirty stuffy in so you can dump straight into the washing machine when they get back.
DD lived in the same stuff, sounds revolting in my opinion, however it led to relatively little washing whereas DS wore the lot and we had more.

@rhowton

Add things that will make her feel good... bags of sweeties to share. Fun group games for her age.

We were told no sweets in luggage. Each child handed in two packs to the teachers before they left which were then shared out at regular intervals during the trip. Stopped kids stuffing them on the coach and being sick, and helped with allergies etc.

Thanks everyone! Really helpful, please keep them coming
(It’s not camping but lots of outdoor activities, I assume of a muddy nature. The school have already specified no food or sweets to be taken along)

Label everything right down to the last sock! There's often a communal drying area and the amount of crap that gets left behind (and I have to take on the bus back to school in a smelly damp bin bag) is unreal!

Not much fun for the adult to try and repatriate underwear etc if not labelled

Be prepared for the same pants to be worn everyday, and the soap and towel to be the only dry things in the bag (or is that just my DC!)

If it's wet send them with quick drying jumpers, fleeces not cotton. Joggers with cuffed bottoms to stay out of the mud.

If they have a teddy, get them to take it. My niece didn’t because she thought everyone would think she was a baby. Every other child had theirs with them.

Sanitary protection. Even if she’s not due on that week or not even started.

Take note of the actual list

Ex brown owl here

One year out list said e.g.
Hiking boots or outdoor trainers
Old shoes for canoeing

A parent decided to send one pair to do both jobs, didn't mention to me.

So after canoeing I gave a child whose only pair of outdoor shoes are wringing wet 🙈